Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 16 (Reuters) - Financial stocks plunged on Friday, ending Wall Street's six-day winning streak as fraud charges against Goldman Sachs and some disappointing earnings sent investors running for cover.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 125.91 points, or 1.13 percent, to 11,018.66, according to the latest available figures. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> lost 19.54 points, or 1.61 percent, to 1,192.13. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> shed 34.43 points, or 1.37 percent, to 2,481.26.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures tumbled nearly 3 percent on Friday, the biggest one-day percentage loss in 10 weeks, as a downturn on Wall Street on news that U.S. securities regulators were charging Goldman
Sachs Group Inc with fraud, pressured commodities markets as well.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude settled down $2.27, or 2.65 percent, at $83.24 a barrel, trading from $82.52 to $85.44.

The May crude contract's drop was the biggest one-day percentage loss since Feb. 5, when prices fell 2.7 percent. For the week, prices fell $1.68, or 1.98 percent.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May up 1-1/4 cents at $9.85-1/4 a bushel. Fund buying amid support from bullish technical signals after May broke through resistance on Thursday at its 200-day moving average.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May down 0.27 cent at 39.80 cents per lb. Meal/oil spreading and pressure from lower crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended higher on Friday after a four-day losing streak, with lower crude oil prices offset by hopes of stronger exports.

The ringgit , Asia's best performing currency this year, which has been acting as a curb to any gain in palm oil prices, eased against the U.S. dollar.

Benchmark July crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives settled down 0.3 percent, or 8 ringgit, at 2,518 ringgit ($789.1). Trade volumes stood at 10,226 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 16 (Reuters) - Thai stocks fell to their lowest in a month on Friday on broad selling of big-cap stocks due to political uncertainty following deadly clashes between troops and anti-government protesters in Bangkok.

The Thai SET index <.SETI> ended 3.25 percent lower, after a 3.6 percent loss on Monday before the three-day New Year holiday.

In Indonesia <.JKSE>, losses were led by a 4.4 percent fall in cigarette firm Gudang Garam . Banks fell on profit-taking, with Bank Central Asia down 0.9 percent and Bank Mandiri off 2.9 percent.

The Jakarta rally has made it one of the more expensive markets in the region, with a price-to-book ratio of 3.4 times, higher than Singapore <.FTSTI>, Malaysia <.KLSE> and Thailand at less than 2.0, according to StarMine, a Thomson Reuters company.

In Kuala Lumpur, Axiata Group fell 2.1 percent following its plan to issue $300 million in notes, with the proceeds to be used for repament of term loans.

FCPO Weekly: in Tight range

Market extended its tight rangy mode between 2722-2726 to 2400-2393 levels.Violation of either way may provide a clearer direction to market.

DJI Weekly: Remains in positive mode

Immediate weekly technical landscape remains in positive mode despite prices ended sharply lower for the week. As for now, we are looking for the immediate upside resistance at 11,400 to 11,500. To the downside, support is lies at 10,700 to 10,500.

FKLI Weekly: Slowing down its upside move

Market maintain its upward posture but had show some sign of slowing down. Thus,market may due for consolidation mode in near term with upside resistance is pegged at 1350.5. To the downside, support is pegged at 1315-1300.

Breaking News-RTRS-UPDATE 2-Chinese importers delay Argentine soyoil orders

BUENOS AIRES, April 14 (Reuters) - Chinese soyoil importers are asking Argentine exporters not to send shipments of the oil that had been bought before Beijing started imposing a new import standard, traders in Buenos Aires said on Wednesday.
Chinese authorities have denied the new rules were imposed in retaliation for Argentina's decision to restrict some Chinese imports, such as shoes and steel pipes, to protect local industry during the global economic crisis.
The disruption to exports is raising concern in Argentina because it threatens a key source of hard currency.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks posted their sixth straight day of gains on Thursday as an encouraging profit forecast from United Parcel Service lifted transportation shares, though concerns about a rise in weekly jobless claims limited the market's advance.

Financial stocks weighed on the S&P 500 as they gave back some gains after Wednesday's strong rally.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 21.46 points, or 0.19 percent, to end at 11,144.57. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> edged up 1.02 points, or 0.08 percent, to 1,211.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 10.83 points, or 0.43 percent, to close at 2,515.69.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Thursday, roiled by pre-expiry trading on options on the front-month May crude contract, analysts said.

The downturn follows a 2 percent rally on Wednesday that was sparked by a surprise crude inventory drawdown and a bigger-than-expected fall in gasoline stocks.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude settled down 33 cents, or 0.38 percent, at $85.51 a barrel, trading from $85.27 to $86.27. NYMEX May crude expires on April 20.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 15 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May up 15 cents at $9.84 a bushel; November up 14-3/4 cents at $9.61. Slow farmer selling in the U.S. and in South America and brisk demand lifted cash markets and soy futures followed. Short-covering technical rally and fund buying also cited.


CBOT-SOYOIL - May up 0.21 cent at 40.07 cents per lb. Following soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures fell for the fourth straight session on Thursday as the ringgit currency strengthened against the U.S. dollar, eating into refining margins.

Weak Malaysian palm oil exports in the first half of April and prospects of stocks rising higher also weighed on the market, although the rise of crude oil above $86 a barrel limited losses.

By midday, the benchmark June crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives shed 0.3 percent, or 8 ringgit, to settle at 2,520 ringgit ($788) a tonne. Volume fell to 3,453 lots of 25 tonnes from the usual 5,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, April 15 (Reuters) - Positive economic data from China and the U.S. helped Southeast Asian stocks led by Indonesia, but Philippines shed earlier gains to close in the red.

Indonesia <.JKSE> gained 0.54 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> rose 0.22 percent, and Vietnam closed 1 percent firmer.

Singapore's Straits Time Index <.FTSTI> edged down 0.1 percent after hitting a new 21-month high during trade, while Philippines index <.PSI> closed 0.6 percent weaker on profit taking ahead of the elections on May 10.

In Kuala Lumpur, the index <.KLSE> closed up 0.2 percent led by a 2.4 percent gain in telecoms firm Axiata Group and a 1.4 percent rise in Genting Group .

CBOT Soyoil Daily: Sideways to bias upside potential

Market is maintaining its sideways to higher posture following prices surged to close at the intra-day high. As for now, we continue to look for the upside resistance at USc40.96-41.00. While, downside support is lies at USc39.85-39.50.

Breaking News-RTRS-Indonesian palm oil exports to grow despite sales halt -industry

JAKARTA, April 14 (Reuters) - A decision by top palm oil buyers to halt purchases from Indonesia is unlikely to affect palm oil exports from Southeast Asia's biggest economy given strong demand, an industry official said on Wednesday.

Breaking News-RTRS-China April soy imports seen at 4.3 mln T-MOFCOM

BEIJING, April 14 (Reuters) - China's Commerce Ministry said buyers had reported imports of 4.3 million tonnes of soybeans for April.
That was slightly higher than the 4 million tonnes of actual arrivals in March recorded by China's Customs. Rains in Brazil had delayed loadings of cargoes to China from April to May, when China was expected to import a record amount of more than 5 million tonnes, traders said.
The China National Grain and Oils Information Center (CNGOIC) expected May imports at between 5 to 5.5 million tonnes.

Breaking News-RTRS-Chinese importers cancel Argentine soyoil orders

BUENOS AIRES, April 14 (Reuters) - Chinese soyoil importers are asking Argentine exporters not to send shipments of the oil that had been bought before Beijing started imposing a new import standard, traders in Buenos Aires said on Wednesday.
One trader said they did not want Argentine soyoil orders to be shipped even if they met the new requirement.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 14 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks notched a fifth straight day of gains on Wednesday as stronger-than-expected corporate results and March retail sales pushed the S&P 500 past 1,200 for the first time in 18 months.

Dow components Intel Corp and JPMorgan Chase & Co paced the market after both posted better-than-expected results.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 103.69 points, or 0.94 percent, at 11,123.11. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 13.35 points, or 1.12 percent, at 1,210.65. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 38.87 points, or 1.58 percent, at 2,504.86.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended 2.13 percent higher on Wednesday after the government reported an unexpected drop in domestic crude stockpiles last week, snapping a 10-week supply buildup.

Upbeat economic data on U.S. retail sales, a weaker dollar and falling fuel stocks in China lifted crude futures early as crude broke a string of five consecutive lower settlements.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude rose $1.79, or 2.13 percent, to settle at $85.84 a barrel, trading from $83.71 to $86.39.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 14 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex closing trends on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May up 1 cent at $9.69 a bushel; November up 1-1/4 cents at $9.46-1/4. Technical picture bullish early but nearby contract gave up gains after briefly breaking resistance point at 200-day moving average of $9.74-1/4. Reports of farmer sales in South America added pressure to the market, limiting gains.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May up 0.12 cent at 39.86 cents per lb. Gains in crude oil lend support to soyoil market.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures made a little headway on Wednesday as firmer crude oil played tug-of-war with expectations of slower demand and improving production for this month.

The benchmark June contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 3ringgit or 0.12 percent to 2,528 ringgit ($790) per tonne. Traded volume was just 10,596 lots of 25 tonnes each.

The market traded in a narrow range as players awaited fresh leads from cargo surveyors who are due on Thursday to unveil export numbers for the first 15 days of April.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-SINGAPORE, April 14 (Reuters) - Singapore stocks jumped to their highest level since June 2008 on Wednesday as the local economy accelerated, prompting the central bank to declare the country had fully recovered from its worst-ever recession.

Singapore's trade-dependent economy expanded 13.1 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, the strongest since 1994 and beating expectations for an 11 percent rise.

The Singapore government also raised its 2010 growth forecast to between 7 and 9 percent, from a previous 4.5-6.5 percent.

The Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended 1.6 percent higher at 3,019.7 points, breaching the psychologically important 3,000 level and convincingly moving above the 61.8 percent retracement level of its downward move between September 2007 and March 2009.

Other Southeast Asian markets were tepid, however, with the year's strongest performer this year, Indonesia, ending little changed on the day. Malaysia closed up 0.1 percent.

FCPO Daily: range between 2500 to 2600 levels

Range trading between 2500 to 2600 looks likely to continue in near term as nothing much changes to the immediate daily technical landscape.

FKLI Daily: in sideways mode

Market continue to hover in sideways mode to trade in between 1330-1350 levels in upward posture. Thus, we are waiting a significant breakout from the either way for a more clearer direction.

Breaking News-RTRS-UPDATE 3-Argentina says China soyoil talks progressing

BUENOS AIRES, April 13 (Reuters) - Argentine officials said on Tuesday talks to resolve a trade spat with China over soyoil were progressing and many exporters would be able to meet tough new import standards imposed by Beijing.
The new requirements have put a question mark over a key hard currency earner for the South American country, the world's biggest soyoil exporter. They also threaten to squeeze supplies in China, the top consumer of the edible oil.
Chinese authorities have denied the new rules were imposed in retaliation for Argentina's decision to restrict some Chinese imports like shoes and steel pipes to protect local industry during the global economic crisis.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed slightly higher on Tuesday on hopes that key upcoming earnings results would provide evidence the global economy is recovering, while the euro was pressured by lingering concerns about Greece.

U.S. Treasury debt prices mostly rose on safe-haven buying as investors remained cautious about the fiscal problems of the weakest euro zone members and before a slew of key corporate earnings that will help gauge the strength of the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> ended 13.45 points higher, or up 0.12 percent, at 11,019.42, while the Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> edged up 0.82 point, or 0.07 percent, at 1,197.30. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 8.12 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,465.99.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 13 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower for the fifth day in a row on Tuesday, ahead of weekly inventory reports forecast to show the 11th straight week of a buildup in crude inventories. A flurry of late short-covering limited the day's losses, traders said.

Crude futures were also aided briefly by the release of minutes of the Federal Reserve's mid-March meeting, in which policy makers noted that modest recovery was under way but also raised questions about its sustainability.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude settled down 29 cents, or 0.34 percent, at $84.05 a barrel, trading from $82.51 to $84.36.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 13 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May up 8 cents at $9.68 a bushel; November up 10 cents at $9.45. Turned higher after weak open as lack of cash selling by U.S. and South American farmers limiting supplies at processors and elevators.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May up 0.15 cent at 39.74 cents per lb. Weak crude oil market weighs on prices.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended little changed on Tuesday as selling on the back of weaker exports in April was offset by buying on the back of last month's lower stocks data.

Cargo surveyors reported that Malaysian palm oil exports for the first ten days of April fell by a third. But this week, industry regulator Malaysian Palm Oil Board said palm oil stocks dropped to six month lows in March.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended 1 ringgit lower to settle at 2,524 ringgit ($787.5) a tonne after going as low as 2,511 ringgit. Overall traded volume stood at 11,203 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-HONG KONG, April 13 (Reuters) - Philippine shares ended at a two-year high on Tuesday, outperforming other Southeast Asian markets, underpinned by expectations that the economy would rise at a faster clip this year, helping lift corporate earnings.

Other markets were lower on profit-taking. Escalating political tensions in Thailand weighed on sentiment, analysts said. Singapore <.FTSTI> fell 0.2 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> eased 0.4 percent and Vietnam <.VNI> shed 0.4 percent.

NYMEX Crude Daily: Losing ground

Market continue to lose ground following prices ended down for straight five days and tested the support at USD83.00 in intra-day basis. As for now, we are looking at the immediate upside resistance at USD85.71-85.88 followed by USD86.37. To the downside, immediate support is lies at USD82.00-81.50.

FCPO Daily: Sideways

Market extended its sideways move in between 2500-2600 levels and nothing much changes on the immediate technical outlook. Thus, we continue to wait for a significant breakout from the either way to provide a more clearer direction to market.

FKLI Daily: Due for Consolidation

Market slowing down its upward move after the recent strong rally. Thus, market may due for consolidation in near term with upside resistance is pegged at 1350.5 While, downside support is adjusted to 1330 followed by 1327.5-1320.5 (gap left over on 1/4/2010).

Breaking News-RTRS-UPDATE 1-Chinese buyers stop seeking Argentine soyoil imports

BEIJING/BUENOS AIRES, April 12 (Reuters) - Chinese buyers have stopped applying for new import permits after authorities in Beijing slapped new quality standards on shipments from the South American nation around two weeks ago.
Importers are exploring alternative origins, including Brazil for soyoil and Malaysia for palm oil imports, although high domestic stocks and firm prices were discouraging buyers from entering into new deals, traders said on Monday.
Some cargoes were postponed, while at least one cargo was switched to India, they said.

NYMEX Crude Daily: May due for consolidation phase

Market is facing some resistance at USD87.00 and looks may due for a consolidation in near term. As for now, we are looking at the immediate upside resistance at USD87.09. To the downside, immediate support is lies at USD83.95 followed by USD83.00